611.3531/406a
The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Argentina ( Weddell )
Sir: There has recently been created a Country Committee on Argentina and Uruguay to study American trade with those two countries and to formulate specific proposals which might be considered in the event that it should be decided to negotiate trade agreements with those countries. In formulating such proposals in connection with a possible trade agreement with Argentina, it is necessary to consider not only the specific tariff concessions which would be granted reciprocally by the two countries, but also the subject matter and phraseology of the general provisions which would form the body of the agreement. In formulating these general provisions, the Department desires to benefit by the experience and advice of its representatives in Buenos Aires, in order that all aspects of the matter may receive thorough consideration. You are therefore instructed, in collaboration with the Consul General and the Commercial Attaché, to study the question of the general provisions which it would be desirable to insert in a possible trade agreement with Argentina, and to submit your specific recommendations in the premises.
In order to facilitate this work, there are enclosed three copies of some standardized general provisions2 which have been prepared in the Department for consideration in connection with trade agreements which may be negotiated in the future and for possible inclusion therein. The various articles contained in these general provisions are purely tentative in their nature and may be appropriately modified in accordance with the needs of any particular agreement. In replying to this instruction, you may find it convenient to take these standard general provisions as a basis, and indicate such deletions therefrom or additions and amendments thereto as you may consider desirable. It is unlikely, for example, that the article on exchange [Page 175] control contained in the standard general provisions transmitted herewith will be maintained in its present form for incorporation in the proposed trade agreement with Argentina.
In addition to the specific report called for above on the general provisions of the proposed trade agreement, the Department will welcome at any time any further suggestions you may care to make in regard to this matter as well as all information bearing on the question of a possible trade agreement with Argentina.
Your attention is invited to the strictly confidential nature of this despatch and the subject matter contained therein.
Very truly yours,